Category: Offering Thoughts

I would like to build on Fred’s testimony from last week. Fred testified how he finally got a house after 13 years to the month of selling his last home. He mentioned he bid on several houses and looked at many more. What he didn’t mention is what he said to me each time a bid fell through or a house did not meet their needs. He would always say, “I am trusting the Lord for the right house at the right time. He will get us the house we need.” I paraphrased his words.

Fred and Jody were trusting the Lord for a house.

My question is, “Why could Fred and Jody trust the Lord for such a need?”

In Luke 16:10, Jesus concludes his story about a certain rich man with a not-so-scrupulous steward. Jesus states: If you can be trusted in the least of these things you can also be trusted with much.

You might recall the story where a rich man had a steward. A steward is a person who manages someone else’s property and money. In this case, the steward was skimming from his master. The master called the steward to account for all the money and property. The steward became scared and to cover up his mis-deeds, he called all the debtors to the rich man and shaved down their debt. He did that so the books would balance and the debtors would befriend him when he lost his job.

The entire story revolved around money. Jesus concluded his story saying he who is trusted in that which is least would be trusted also in much. Jesus basically called money the least thing to be concerned with. The greater the concern, the greater the trust level must be. Jesus was saying if we can trust Him with the least, our money, we can then trust Him with greater things.

Jesus wants us to trust Him for our money and livelihood which He calls the least, so we can trust Him for the big things in life, such as houses, health, healings, and so forth. How many would agree with me that trusting God for money is one thing, but we kind of choke when it comes to cancer, retirement, jobs, etc.?

Let me use an illustration. I have here three invoices from Home Depot which represents one of my projects at home. These receipts remind me of several things:

1. The inventory of items purchases and the amount of work I bought myself.
2. The amount of confidence I have in my abilities to do with those materials I said I would. The invoices amount to a little over $13,000. How many consider that to be a large amount of trust in my abilities?
3. These invoices also remind me of the level of trust my wife has in my abilities to do something with those things I spent $13,000 to buy. Do you think for one moment she would let me spend that kind of money if she didn’t trust my abilities?

Cindy had to trust me and my abilities to do something with the material purchased. I have a receipt proving her level of trust. If she can trust me in that area, can she trust me in greater areas of life?

You may be wondering what does this have to do with tithes and offerings?

At the end of each year, River of Life Church provides me with a receipt of my giving for the past year. This recent reminds me of several things:

1. It lists each donation. It also totals my contributions. Each year, the first place I look at is the total contributions.
2. It shows me the confidence God has in His abilities to do what He promises. Didn’t He say, “Give and it will be given back to you, good measure, press down, shaken together and running over shall be given back into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38). Didn’t He say He would never leave me nor forsake me? (Duet. 31:6). Doesn’t His Word say through the Psalmist David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Ps. 103:2-5)
3. It tells me how much I trust God and His Faithfulness. I compare my total to the previous year. If the number is greater, I have proven to myself I trust God more this year than last year. AND, it tells me the level of trust I can have in His promises.  If I trust Him in my finances, I should be able to trust His other promises of healing, housing, jobs, etc. Right?

I have a receipt of my trust level.

To what level are your trusting God? Look at your receipt. Is it 2%? Is it 5%? Is it 10%? Is it more? If you are trusting Him in your finances, which is the least, Jesus says we can trust Him in the greater things.

Fred and Jody tithed. That opened the door to trust Him for a house.

Where is your trust level? Look at your receipt.

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#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

Nehemiah 6:15 – So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

Today is Building Fund Sunday, the third Sunday of the month. I think of Nehemiah and the impossible task that lay before him. Jerusalem was in ruins. The walls were completely destroyed and the gates were unhinged and burned. Nehemiah, as you may recall, got permission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem to make it inhabitable again.

While Nehemiah was trying to rebuild the city, his enemies constantly tried to stop him. He armed his workers with swords and spears in the event a battle ensued. Imagine placing stones and mortar while keeping an eye open for the attack of the enemy.

Today, we have monumental task of expanding our building here. I don’t see it as a project to expand our building footprint, but as a bastion against the kingdom of darkness. By teaching children about Jesus and his Love, we are building for a brighter tomorrow. We are putting up that wall against darkness, sin and hatred. We are equipping them to be the future leaders and missionaries that will bring others into God’s Kingdom.

About 20 years ago, I served in the nursery and toddler room. During that time, I didn’t appreciate the magnitude of that service. Today, four of the twelve children I watch and taught then are serving in the ministry to their generation. Twenty years ago, I built unseen walls against the kingdom of darkness. Today, we need to expand our physical walls to equip more children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so twenty years henceforth, we will continue to buttress against the attacks of unbelief, hatred, fear and ungodly things.

Enemies are constantly throwing rocks and attacking us. We may be hit with doubts or sickness or busy-ness or whatever. We may be distracted by the many things that capture our attention. As Nehemiah constantly reminded his workers, we are doing this to the glory of God and not for us. We need to prepare the future generations.

The vision is set before you. Will you join me in providing the facility to raise up our future, Godly leaders?

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#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

This post is very personal in nature. Life dictates we must pass through death in order to enter the eternal presence of God. It is a sobering time, one of massive reflection for me. What will it be like? Absent from the body, present with the Lord, as the Apostle Paul stated.

Over 25 years ago, I witnessed my father pass from life to death to eternal life. I saw the decline in his physical body. It shook me to my core. I was speechless. There was so much I wanted to say, but the words caught in my throat. I tried but I chickened out. I just couldn’t seem to push forward. I missed the opportunity to verbally say how much he meant to me.

Now, I have another dear friend in a similar situation. Short of a miracle, he is just a few short weeks before he passes into Glory. Praise God, he knows his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and his eternal destination. Well, I decided not to “chicken out” this time. I wanted to tell him my innermost and deepest thoughts toward him. Once again, the words could not be uttered through my mouth. I wrote him a letter. Something he (and his wife) can keep. With his permission, I have placed the letter in this post.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your sacrifice and surety for our future.

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Ralph,

Blessings to my brother in Christ and all praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is times like these words escape me and emotions overwhelm me. I would prefer to say these things verbally, but I know since they are of such a personal nature to me, I would not be able to do so. Therefore, I write these thoughts, so I can clarify them and say what I need to say.

In life, we must accomplish only two things. Jesus put it this way:

Matthew 22: 36 – 40:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it. ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Ralph, you have exemplified these two commandments. As I have grown to know you, I have always been struck by your abilities in this area. You have greatly impacted me and others around you. The interns we engaged this past spring where equally impacted.

One thing I keep in front of my eyes is the legacy I leave behind. Since we are fellow drummers, I will use drumming as a metaphor.

We don’t just walk to a different beat, we are the beat. We set the pace and keep the time. While others can do it without us, there is always something missing without the reassuring beat of the drummer. I’ve seen your steadfastness, not getting overly anxious or off-tempo as life hits you time and again. Your steadfastness in the Lord is expressly noticeable. I don’t know what pace you go in your private time, out of the limelight, whether it is frantic or slower paced, but publicly, you are rock-solid. Your trust in the Lord is evident whether times are good or times are bad. That display of trust shows even if it is not acknowledged. Others see it. I see it. Christ sees it.

As drummers, we add color and syncopation to life. Your quick humor and hearty laugh light up the room. You brighten those around you and make all feel welcomed and comfortable. Quick to add a story or affirm someone else’s, you show your love for Christ and for others through your words and actions. You freely hug and touch others in away they feel comforted and loved. I am a person who does not readily accept hugs from just anyone. Yours was always welcomed. As I told you, my love language is touch and I carefully guard that because of the inappropriate behaviors it can easily lead me into (but definitely not with men – whew!).

As drummers, we are rarely in the limelight, but in the background supporting the rest of the band. Your willingness to lend a hand (accept around power tools – that would result in a different way of lending a hand) and serve others has not gone unnoticed. Jesus was a servant and a leader. You exhibit the same trait – willing to serve others and step into leadership positions as needed.

Occasionally, we drummers are spotlighted while doing our solo riffs. It’s times like these where we can strut our stuff, show off a bit, and just let loose. I got a peek of it the day you attended our Toastmasters meeting. It was good to see you in action. I wish I could see more. I have seen it when you make a point in a conversation. Your wisdom and knowledge of the Word is evident and it comes through.

Ralph, I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know if you’ll receive your healing in this life or shed all diseases in the next. One thing I do know for sure, Jesus Christ is waiting for us on the other side of this life. Jesus and many others – the ones we have personally led to Christ and the many more we have invested into through our giving and prayers will welcome us with the greatest of joy. If you beat me there, I’ll come looking for you when I arrive. If I beat you there, I’ll be watching for you, brother. We’ll have a great reunion and a time of rejoicing. I don’t know if we’ll recount old times or just make new ones, but either way, it will be a joyous occasion.

Let me close with this. In this life, I have many acquaintances – people I know. I have few friends, people I really like and trust. But I will say, there are less than ten people I love as a brother or sister – my immediate family and a very select few. You have earned a place in the most inner circle. You have impacted my life more than you can imagine and more than I ever suspected.

I don’t really know a good way to end this letter. I’ll simply say, I love you and I’m praying for your peace above all else.

David A. Zimmer
Your Brother in Christ

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#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

Today is Graduation Sunday, the day we acknowledge the hard work of students graduating from high school or college. As graduates, you are launching into a new chapter of life. Some of us here have written enough chapters to be considered a book, maybe even an encyclopedia.

I remember the day I graduated from high school as if it were yesterday even though it was so long ago. As they were handing me my diploma, carved in tablets of stone, I was told I graduated in the top 100 of my class. I felt pretty good until I remembered there were only 95 students graduating that year. Just kidding. There were a few more.

At that time, I became aware of my need for a personal savior. By the fall, I had accepted the Lord and had begun to read the Bible regularly. I came across this verse:

Proverbs 1: 7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I said, “Lord, I want to learn. I want to be knowledgeable. Teach me your ways.” Over the years, He has provided knowledge beyond my abilities. I had the privilege of working and excelling in one of the premier scientific organizations, one that invented the transitor, developed the cell phone technology, and many other important technological discoveries.

The Lord helped me be a key participant in some everyday technology such as email and smartphone communications. At one point, I was considered by many as the world’s leading expert in some communication technologies. The Lord has given me the ability to write hundreds of articles, parts of pretty heady books and complete books. Today, I get to be an adjunct professor giving back to students knowledge I have gained. I know it isn’t me, the guy who graduated in the top 100 of a small class in high school. It is the Lord working through me.

As each chapter of my life opened and closed, the Lord recalled to my memory, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. No matter what you do in life, you need knowledge. And the source of that knowledge is the Lord. Acknowledge the Lord in all aspects of your life.

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#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

Acts 2:1 – 4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day the Holy Spirit came along side the church and the people spoke in new tongues. Pentecost simply means fiftieth day – the fiftieth day from the end of Passover. The first Pentecost occurred during the Celebration of Weeks or Shavuot which commemorates the giving of the Law by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Jesus said He would give us a New Law, one not written on tablets of stone, but one written on tablets of flesh – our hearts. How appropriate, the Holy Spirit came with the evidence of new tongues, came during the celebration of the old Law to give us power and ability to live under the new Law.

Thousands were in Jerusalem that day as the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh. Thousands heard the good news of Jesus Christ in their language. As we read further in Acts 2, Peter preached is first sermon, emboldened by the power of the Holy Spirit and over 3000 were added to the church. You, under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit can do great things because God brings it to pass.

Without the Holy Spirit, Peter would not have been able to preach that sermon. Peter had gone back to fishing. He had gone back to his trade and livelihood of pulling in fish. With the Holy Spirit, he now became a fisher of men. He was out trolling for souls to bring into the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit gave him that ability.

Because of that first Pentecost, we are seeing evidence of the Holy Spirit weekly here at River of Life Church. We see evidence in the worship and the presence of God. We see it in the unity of our church body. We hear it through prophesies given during our time of fellowship. We see as members of the body pray for and minister to each other. We see the evidence each Wednesday night as many gather to pray and intercede for our church, community and nation.

As a result, our church body is growing. It is the third Sunday of the month – Building Sunday. I want to thank each of you who have given and continue to give beyond your monthly tithe so we can expand our facilities. God is on the move. The Holy Spirit is touching lives. And our church body is growing.  And our building will keep up with the demand.

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#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

John 21:5-6 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

The disciples fished all night long and caught nothing. Many times, under my own power and strength, I cast my net and seem to come up empty. Jesus told them to cast the nets on the “right” side of the boat and you will find some.

There are many worthy causes to which we can give our money and time. Those causes do good. They help people in need. Some feed the hungry, give clothing to the unclothed, shelter to the shelterless, education to the uneducated.

Unfortunately, I am never sure how much really goes to help the needy. I like to give. I want to give. I want to know I am helping others. As some say, Paying it forward.

Jesus said to cast my net on the right side of the boat. Put my donations into the right organizations that make the most difference. We have heard the testimonies of Convoy of Hope helping those in need. 100% of the money goes to those in need. I like to maximize my investment.

Someone wants asked a wise man how much he should give. The wise man simply asked, “How much do you want to be blessed?” The Bible tells me my blessing shall be pressed down, shaken together and running over shall God give back in blessing. I’ll take it so I can give again.

Let’s see how Convoy of Hope will take my donation and use it.

Feed One – Convoy of Hope

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#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

John 21:15 – 17 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon Peter, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Feed My lambs,” He told him.

A second time He asked him, “Simon Peter, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Shepherd My sheep,” He told him.

He asked him the third time, “Simon Peter, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.”

“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.

Let me put this scripture into the Zimmer translation.

And Jesus said, “David, do you love me?”

“Yeah Lord, above all else.”

Jesus said, “Feed my children.”

A second time, Jesus asks, “David, do you love me?”

I said, “Yeah Lord, I do love you, but you know this month money is very tight.”

Jesus said, “Your building needs to be expanded. Teach my children.”

A third time, Jesus said, “David, do you love me?”

And I said, “Lord, you know I do. But this month, those new medical bills showed up and an unplanned college tuition is due and taxes need to be paid and …”

Jesus said, “Give to One Day To Feed The World.”

I said with struggle in my voice, “I will obey Lord. You will meet all my needs according to your riches. Provide Lord and I will give.”

Today is Building Fund Sunday. We need to expand our facility to feed our children here. We provide as separate offering once a month for the building fund.

April is One Day To Feed the World month so we can feed the hungry spiritually and physically. April is the month we give an extra offering equally one day’s wage to feeding the hungry. Every penny, nickel or dime given to One Day To Feed the World goes to feeding the hungry. The administrative costs of Convoy of Hope, the organization administering the program, is supported by other means. Unlike other organizations which need to use some of the monies donated to support its operation, Convoy of Hope uses 100% of the donated money to feed those in need. It is good to know I am helping those who need it the most and not padding someone’s pay check. https://www.convoyofhope.org/oneday/

#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

He is Risen. Jesus Christ is alive and well. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In Revelation 1:17-18, we read, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

Jesus came strictly for the purpose of redeeming His precious creation mankind and to conquer death, hell and the grave. He lives forevermore and has placed His Righteousness on us, so we can stand before God the Father.

But how do we know Jesus rose from the dead?

In John 20:8, it says when John the Disciple saw the grave cloths laying in the tomb, he believed.

Later that day, when Jesus appeared to the disciples and those gathered with them in the upper room, they believed. Jesus showed them His nail-pierced hands and hole in His side. They could touch Him and eat with Him.

In 1 Corinthians 15:6, it says He appeared to over 500. And in 1 Corinthians 15:8, it says He appeared to Paul the Apostle as one born out of due time.

Unfortunately, that was so long ago. How do we in the current time know for a certainly this event, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, actually took place? Without the resurrection, there is no salvation to eternal life. Jesus’ death took away our sin and sickness through His shed blood. But the redemption of mankind could not stop there. Don’t get me wrong, living as a Christian, knowing the Holy Spirit guides and leads me, knowing my sins are forgiven, my sicknesses and disease are healed, and Christ placing His Righteousness on me sure beats living without those. Without the resurrection, we would exist in Paradise just as the saints of the Old Testament were living until Jesus went down and released them. Paradise, I’m sure, was a decent place, but not like Heaven where God the Father dwells. The separation between God and mankind in Paradise was probably the same as the separation we experience now. I have no Biblical proof since it doesn’t say one way or another.

Therefore, how do we, living today, know Jesus Christ rose from the dead so many years ago?

Those of us who have experienced the miracle of the New Birth or being born again know of the unmistakable inward witness as God floods our hearts with love and praise. It is undeniable. Those who have not experienced the new birth might mock and ridicule because they don’t know the Truth, they have not felt that love, the cleansing power of faith, the new creation awareness, the release from bondage of past sins and more. Jesus Christ, born, died and rose again from the dead is the Truth. We know that as sure as we know our name.

Truth is not something you know. Truth is the Someone you know. Jesus is the Someone you need to know. He is the Truth. Regardless of the scene around you, the circumstances of your life or even the beliefs you hold, Jesus Christ is the Truth – immutable, undeniable, unstoppable Truth. Many have tried to refute Him. Many try to prove the opposite. I have to ask, if He is not the Truth, then why hasn’t He faded away? Why are people still trying to prove He is not the Truth? The Bible says, “You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

If you have not asked Jesus Christ to be your personal savior, to know Him personally, and experienced the undeniable inward witness of His Resurrection, I pray you don’t let another day go by without doing so. When you do, you will experience the Resurrection of Jesus Christ just as if you were there that first Resurrection Day.

It’s not hard. It is simply asking, just as you would ask for a cup of water.

Heavenly Father, I thank you Jesus Christ came to die for me. I thank you through His shed blood, all my sins are forgiven, regardless what I have done. The blood of Jesus is greater than all my sins combined. Wash me with Jesus’ blood and Your Love. Make me new. I thank you Jesus Christ rose from the dead to ransom my sool and give me a new spirit. I thank you through this simple prayer, you’ve heard me and I am now born again. Help me to walk in this new life and learn more about You and Your Great Salvation. In Jesus Name, I believe it is done.

If you’ve prayed that prayer, I suggest you find a local Bible-believing church. I’ve been associated with the Assemblies of God for many years. They provide balanced and true teaching to help you in your walk. You are welcome to call our church to help locate a local body – +1/215.794.9393. Find us online and worship with us via the internet: https://www.facebook.com/rolcdoylestown/

Let us know you’ve become a new creation in Christ Jesus.

#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.

Each time as I prepare for these offering messages, I sit and ask the Lord what I am to say. He kept bringing me back to the same topic this week.

Within the past week, we have seen once again the tragedy of our broken world, our society in disarray, and the folly of our decisions in moral correctness. One young man taking the lives of 17 others.  But it wasn’t just in Parkland, Florida where tragedies occurred. Under the radar of the media, other atrocities occurred as well.

I’d like to read an excerpt from Darrell Scott’s testimony to the House Judiciary Committee subcommittee investigating the Columbine shooting. Darrell’s daughter, Rachel Scott, was killed at Columbine.

Darrell Scott stated, “I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy — it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You’ve stripped away our heritage,
You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question “Why?”
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

“Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation’s history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine’s tragedy occurs — politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.”

End of quote

Darrell Scott told the subcommittee straight-up what the answer is. He pinpointed the problem. He could not have been any more clear. Yet, we blame the gun. We blame the NRA. We blame the people who belong to and support the NRA. We blame the second amendment to our Constitution. We blame government because “they haven’t done anything.” We blame everyone and everything except the real cause. We NEVER blame ourselves.

Folks, we continually skirt the real issue. We talk about gun control, guards and metal detectors in the schools, bullying, and what our government should do. None of those are the answers. The real answer sits squarely on our shoulders. On Us. What am I going to do about this? What are you going to do about this situation?

Will you reach out to your neighbor, to that loner that no one likes and befriend him? Will you associate with the socially-awkward or backward person who doesn’t have a friend? Will you talk to that person who seems to be angry at the world. To the bitter person whose life has not turned out the way they expected or wanted. Many of these shooters are just kids, children of school age. How could life have dealt them such a bad hand so early on?

We can discuss violent video games that devalue life. We could even outlaw them (I’m not saying that would be a bad idea, but it still doesn’t solve the real issue). We can talk about violent movies and TV shows. We can talk about the media we watch that devalues the family structure, puts down men, women, authority, etc. We can talk about the lack of discipline. We can discuss the lack of respect.

We can reason about the anarchy mindset and  society’s support of relativism where what is right for me is right and what is right for you even though they are diametrically opposites. We can discuss there is no one way to God and whatever you believe is ok.

But folks, let me put it plainly. It is none of those. Jesus Christ tells us He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It’s not about a religion. It is about the relationship with the Creator of the universe, the One who made us, the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

The REAL issue is that void we are all born with and the human nature toward sin, evil and destruction. Only Jesus Christ can fill that void and turn it toward good. No one or thing or substance can fill that void but Jesus Christ.

Jesus say in Matthew 11:29-30 ,”Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Why do we persist in carrying around these heavy burdens of anger, bitterness, strife, etc?

I have it right in my heart because I know the Lord Jesus Christ, but what about the person next to me? Do you have Jesus Christ in your heart? Have you filled that void we all have? What have you filled it with? I know the void is there. I have spoken to enough people to know it is a universal need.

What are you going to do to stop the next shooter? What will you do? Will you reach out to him/her? These are tough and uncomfortable questions. They should disturb our daily lives.

#offeringthoughts

Copyright © 2018 David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.